Medical and surgical proctologic treatment table



Nov. 1, 1960 DODSON 2,958,565

MEDICAL AND SURGICAL PROCTOLOGIC TREATMENT TABLE Filed Jan. 30, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l 64 a; 96 F I i 1 I l i Nov. 1, 1960 J. H. DODSON 2,958,565

MEDICAL AND SURGICAL PROCTOLOGIC TREATMENT TABLE Filed Jan. 30, 1958 72 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGB.

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MEDICAL AND SURGICAL PROCTOLOGIC TREATMENT TABLE Filed Jan. 30, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Un te 1 MEDICAL AND SURGICAL PROCTOLOGIC TREATMENT TABLE The present invention relates broadly to a proctologic table, and more specifically to a unique table of this type which is simple in construction, design and operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved proctologic table which is inexpensive, usable for all phases of proctologic treatment, and is additionally portable. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a proctologic table specifically designed to meet requirements of todays hospitals and clinics.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a proctologic table which, due to its design, renders all phases of proctologic treatment easier and which automatically places a patient in a proper position for treatment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a proctologic table having power drive means and simple controls which operate automatically to return a table to a full down position, or to raise a table to a full elevated position, and automatically stop the table at the desired position.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide in such a table simplified controls with automatic stop means and additionally means whereby the control can be manually operated to stop the table at any position of elevation intermediate extreme positions.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a proctologic table having comfortable design features. for a patient including sturdy hand holds, a completely enclosed power train, a strong basic design of the frame, and casters for rendering the table portable easily and quickly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an upholstered proctologic table which permits the patient to kneel with torso prone, or the patient may be positioned prone and on its side.

Another object of this invention is to provide a proctologic table having a tiltable chassis pivoted at a point approximately at the center of gravity of the chassis and patient cornbined, whereby little effort is required to tilt the chassis or return it to its horizontal position, and wherein means are included to provide a delay of the switching operation from forward to reverse and vice versa to permit the drive motor to come to a complete stop before being energized again for opposite direction of rotation.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the table of the invention showing the horizontal position of the chassis in full lines, and an elevated or tilted position in broken lines;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the table;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

States Patent Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the table arranged for a patient to lie on its side; and

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the drive and operating mechanism for the table.

In the various figures of the drawings, like reference characters are applied to like parts.

The frame or support of the table includes four up standing legs 10 having free running rollers 12 on the lower ends thereof to provide portability. Preferably, the frame of the table is constructed of aluminum tubing and aluminum railing fittings for neat appearance, strength, ease of construction, ease of dismantling, etc. Transverse members 14 and longitudinal members 16 are interconnected with one another and with the legs 10 by means of a plurality of fittings 18 at the four corners of the table. An intermediate transverse member 20 is connected to the longitudinal members 16 by means of fittings 22 at each end thereof, and intermediate longitudinal members are connected to and supported from the transverse end members 14 by means of fittings at 26. The heretofore described structure constitutes the base of the table and support for the tiltable table portion, as will be described hereinafter. The intermediate longitudinal members 24 and intermediate transverse member 25 are interconnected through fittings 281 to give rigidity and strength to the table base.

The tiltable table or chassis, broadly designated 30, is supported from the base of the table by means of two pairs of upwardly and inwardly inclined members 32 and 34 respectively, forming an A frame. The members 32 have their lower ends secured to intermediate transverse member 20 by T-fittings 36, and the members 34 are secured to a transverse end member 14 by means of T-fittings 38.

The upper ends of members 32 and 34 are secured in fittings 40 which have tubular openings transversely therein which fixedly mount a tubular member 42, which extends transversely of the table as shown in Fig. 3. Bearings 44 are journaled around the ends of tubular member 42 and have flat base plates 46 secured to the underside of a metal or the like table 48 which extends longitudinally of the device. By means of this hearing support of table 48, on the tubular member 42, the tiltable table or chassis can be pivoted or rotated with respect to the A frame mount consisting of the legs 32 and 34. Bearings 50 are pressed in the open ends of the tubular member 42, and serve to rotatably mount a rod 52 which extends therethrough and beyond the lateral sides of the table structure, and knurled knobs 54 or the like are provided on each free end thereof. This rod or shaft 52 constitutes a control member for tilting of the table as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

L shaped supporting brackets 56 are mounted on the table 48 and extend longitudinally thereof. A nylon strip, or the like, 58 is secured on the inner faces of each support bracket 56, and these nylon strips serve to mount 2 shaped brackets 60 in slidable arrangement with respect to the brackets 56 and table 48. By reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the table pad construction consists of an aluminum L strip 62 coacting with the Z brackets 56, adapted for supporting the frame 64 for the table pad. The frame 64 has a plywood panel or the like 66 mounted thereon, and there is a molded foam rubber cushion 68 supported on the panel 66, and which is covered by means of a plastic cover or the like 70. Due to this construction, the main section of the table pad designated 72 can be longitudinally displaced. Supplemental pad sections indicated at 74, which serves to accommodate the legs below the knees, 76 which serves as an upper leg support, or as shown in Fig. 6 a portion of a table for laying a patient on its side, and head pad 78.can have basically the same construction, for comfort of a patient. For purposes of changing their relative positions, however, additional features have been added to pad members 76. and 78. Bracket mounts 80 are secured to the table base on the opposite sides thereof adjacent the free ends .of depending skirt members 82, which serve to enclose the lifting or tilting mechanism for the table. Head pad 78 is connected to or formed integrally with the upper leg pad member 76 and this combined structure carries a bracket 84 which includes a depending arm 86 adapted to slide into the opening in the brackets 80. Screw members 88 are provided for tightening the arms in the bracket members 80. By reference to Figures 1 and 6 respectively, it will be seen that the composite unit 76, 78 can be removed from the brackets 80, after loosening the members 88, and subsequent to sliding of the main table pad 72 into the position shown in Fig. 6, the composite pad 76, 78 can be installed at the opposite end of the table for placing a patient comfortably on its side.

The lower leg pad 74, however, is secured between the depending skirts 82 by means of screws or the like 90, and is adapted to remain stationarily fixed in place at all times. With the head pad in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings it serves as a support for the inverted lap of a patient for proper positioning for treatment or surgery, as will be readily understood. A stationary and sturdy hand grip 92 is provided at the opposite extremity of the table, having its lower ends fastened at 94 to the depending skirts 82, and the outer extremity being supported in position by means of brackets 96 from L shaped support brackets 56.

The chassis or table tilting mechanism includes link arms 98 pivotally secured at their upper ends in brackets 100 fastened in any suitable manner to the table or pad support as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The lower ends of these link arms 98 are pivotally mounted on pins 101 carried by a sliding cross head 102, which includes fittings 104 slidably and freely mounted on the intermediate longitudinal members 24 as shown in Fig. 5. These members are preferably self-oiling and the cross head further includes an intermediate T fitting 106 which is internally screw threaded, and in which a shaft 108 which has an externally threaded portion engages. This drive shaft 108 has its free non-threaded end supported by means of a self aligning bearing 110, which in turn is supported by a depending portion of mounting braeket 112, and a thrust collar 114 is utilized on the opposite side of the bracket 112. The mounting bracket 112 also serves to support a drive motor 116 supported on the frame of the table.

A feed belt sheave 118 is secured on the free end of drive shaft 108, and a drive pulley 120 is mounted on the drive shaft of motor 116. A V-belt 122 is entrained over sheave 118 and pulley 128. When the motor 116 is caused to operate, the drive shaft 103, through the sheaves and the V-belt will be caused to rotate. As the drive shaft rotates, due to the coaction of the threads thereon and in the cross head member, the cross beam or head slides horizontally in the direction of the head or the foot of the table depending on the direction of rotation of the drive shaft. When this occurs, the arm links 98, being connected to the tiltable chassis and to the cross head will move from the position shown in full lines in Fig. l, for a horizontal positioning of the table, into the position shown in dotted lines, for the tilted position of the table and vice versa in a readily understandable manner.

As pointed out above, the table or tiltable chassis part is vadapted to pivot from a substantially horizontal position to a tilted position with automatic limit means at these positions. The mechanism for controlling movement of the tiltable table chassis includes the knobs 54 connected at each end of the shaft 52. Shaft 52 has journaled thereon a small gear 124, which meshes with a larger gear 126 carried on a shaft 128 supported in bearing 130, supported from a box like bracket 132 mounted securely on the table frame in any desired manner. Large gear 126 has spaced openings 134 formed therein which coact with a spring pressed detent 136, slidably mounted in box 138 formed as a portion of the box like bracket 132. The purpose of this detent coacting with the holes 134 in gear 126 is to indicate to the operator of the table the neutral or off positions of the knurled knob. and reversing switch hereinafter to be described. The ratio between the small and large gear is provided to give a definite delay of the switching operation from forward to reverse and vice versa, for permitting the motor to come to a complete stop before being energized again for opposite direction of rotation. Without this delay, the motor would continue to revolve in the same direction of rotation even though the current to the motor had been reversed.

The shaft 128 is connected to a reversing switch gear mechanism, generally designated 140, which controls the circuit of electric motor 116. A twist of one of the knurled knobs 54 on either side of the table, and in the direction of desired tilt, operates the double throw reversing overcenter switches in mechanisms 140 which in turn closes the circuit of the electric motor.

In operation, accordingly, when one of the knurled knobs 54 is rotated so as to turn the shaft 52 in one or the other directions, the motor 116 will be operated through the double throw switches in the reversing switch gear 140, which as pointed out is of an overcenter type, for energization in one of two directions of rotation to either tilt the table or return it to the normal horizontal position.

In order to insure automatic cut-off of the motor when reaching a predetermined position, additional structure is incorporated. This includes a bracket 142 secured on depending flange 82 for movement with tiltable table 31), and carrying at its inner end an arcuate member 144 having two slots 146 therein, which as will appear hereinafter, permits adjustment of the angular disposition of the table by defining two limit positions therefore. A stop button 148 is secured in each of the slots 146 of arcuate member 144 by means of a shaft andnut com? bination 150, by means of which they can be adjusted in the slots 146. At their inner ends these buttons carry flat lugs 152, and by means of flat bosses or the like ere tending into the slots 146, proper alignment .of the flat lugs can be maintained. An arm 154 is secured on shaft 129 and carries at its lower end a roller cam 156 adapted for coaction with flat lugs 152 on adjustable buttons 148. When the motor has been set in operation through rotation of shaft 52, and following the desired amount of tilt of table 30, the roller cam 156 will contact one flat lug 152 at the predetermined extremity of movement of the table in that direction, and will then trip the overcenter switch in the switch gear 140 to discontinue operation of the drive motor 116.

A projection 158 is provided on large gear 126 and if the operator attempts to rotate the large gear, through the small gear and shaft 52, in the wrong direction from a position of stop, the projection 158 will engage with the detent 136 engaged in either of the openings 134, so that the operator is prevented from turning the knurled knobs in the wrong direction when the chassis is horizontal or at its full tilt position with possible damage to the mechanism.

In Fig. 7 there is schematically shown this control mechanism, including the overcenter type of reversing switch gear broadly designated 140, into which is operatively connected the shaft 128 to which large gear 126 is connected. The small gear 124' upon actuation by means of knurled knob 54 will turn the shaft which,

through the switch gear 140, will operate motor 116 in the desired direction. As shown, the arm 154 has a roller earn 156 in engagement with one flat lug 152, which will then operate through the reversing switch gear to disconnect the motor when the table has reached a position of limit. A master off-on switch of any desired type for the over-all circuit is indicated at 160.

While the device is so constructed as to automatically stop the motor when the table has reached a full tilt or full normal or horizontal position, the operator may, by turning either of knurled knobs 54, tilt the chassis to any desired angle within the limits of the design and again by manual operation of the knob return the chassis to one or more lesser angles of tilt.

As an added convenience, an electrical service outlet can be provided near the switch and in a convenient location for the plugging in of electric operated instruments, lights, etc.

As pointed out above, the head pad may be shifted to permit room for the pad with the roll at the patients head, and by means of the brackets or sockets on either side of the table which are provided with the thumb screws, adjustment in height of the head pad can be made. These brackets or sockets may also be used to support stirrups when their use is desired.

The various tubing members utilized in the construction are preferably provided with cap members, and a tubular cap may be provided over the extending end of the drive shaft, and the motor and V-belt drive covered by a housing in the interest of safety and cleanliness. Provisions can be made for easy adjustment and replacement of the V-belt as is necessary.

It is believed that the construction and operation of the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of an embodiment thereof. It is to be understood however, that minor changes in details of construction can be effected in various portions of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in and limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a proctologic table, a base, a tubular A frame mounted on said base, an open ended transverse tube secured on the upper end of said frame, a tiltable table pivotally mounted on said tube, drive means for tilting said table about said tube, a first shaft rotatably mounted in said tube, a small gear journalled on said first shaft,

a large gear meshing with said small gear, a second shaft rotatably mounting said large gear, a switch gear control connected to said second shaft and operatively associated with said drive means for control thereof, said first shaft being operable upon rotation to rotate said second shaft for actuation of said switch gear for selectively operating said drive means in two directions.

2. In a proctologic table as claimed in claim 1, said drive means comprising a reversible electric motor, said switch gear control including a double throw reversing switch actuatable by said second shaft and connected to circuits for said motor for closing circuits to the motor for forward or reverse movement.

3. In a proctologic table as claimed in claim 2, an arm mounted on said second shaft, a roller cam on the end of said arm, and spaced stop buttons mounted on said tiltable table adapted for engagement with said roller cam upon movement of said table to predetermined limits of movement to thereby rotate said second shaft to automatically stop said motor.

4. In a proctologic table as claimed in claim 3, said stop buttons being adjustably mounted for varying the angle of tilt of said table.

5. In a proctologic table as claimed in claim 4, said large gear having arcu-ately spaced openings therein, a spring pressed detent pin mounted on said base adapted for coaction with said openings for indicating neutral positions of said control shaft.

6. In a proctologic table as claimed in claim 5, a projection on said large gear, said projection abutting against said detent engaged in one or the other of said openings to prevent turning of said first shaft in the wrong direction dependent upon the position of said tiltable table.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,228,953 Naysmith June 5, 1917 1,727,883 Humphreys Sept. 10, 1924 1,874,582 Nelson Aug. 30, 1932 1,989,434 Thompson Jan. 29, 1935 2,038,327 Wantz Apr. 21, 1936 2,172,941 Manning et a1. Sept. 12, 1939 2,534,623 Pitts et al. Dec. 19, 1950 2,577,177 Anderson Dec. 4, 1951 2,622,950 Nimmo Dec. 23, 1952 2,680,046 Stava June 1, 1954 

